You can make these simple refried bean burritos with tender rice, creamy refried beans, and a tasty mix of spices for a cheap, filling, and satisfying meal.
This easy bean burrito recipe can be used to make a quick and healthy 30-minute dinner or to make simple lunches that you can grab on the go and store in the freezer. You will love how versatile and tasty this recipe is.
When it comes to easy, kid-friendly meals, refried bean burritos are one of my favorite things to make.
These bean burritos are one of the simplest and least expensive things to make. You can use refried beans from a can or refried beans from your Instant Pot. They also happen to be bursting with flavor, fiber, AND some sneaky hidden veggies.
But most importantly, homemade bean burritos are so much better for you and better tasting than anything store-bought.
This recipe for bean burritos is extremely versatile. You can adapt the ingredients to suit your taste or to accommodate your dietary restrictions. I have included many options so that you can make this simple recipe work for you!.
It might sound crazy, but this recipe works really well with pure pumpkin, squash, or carrot puree added to refried bean burritos. The vegetable puree gives these burritos natural sweetness and vitamin A. If you want to sneak in some vegetables or use up some canned pumpkin puree, this is the way to do it.
Gluten-Free Bean Burritos: Use your favorite gluten-free brand of a burrito-sized tortilla to prepare these bean burritos. Be cautious if using store-bought taco seasoning, as some may have traces of gluten.
Vegan Bean Burritos: Use vegetarian or homemade refried beans, and homemade flour tortillas, and omit the cheese.
Bean burritos are a tasty and filling meal that are fun and easy to make at home. Whether you want to spice up Taco Tuesday or make a hearty dinner for your family, homemade bean burritos always hit the spot. In this article, I’ll walk you through the simple steps to make incredibly delicious bean burritos from scratch.
Ingredients You’ll Need
To make bean burritos, you’ll need just a handful of ingredients:
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Tortillas – Flour or corn tortillas work well. I usually use 8-inch flour tortillas.
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Refried beans – Canned refried beans are quick and easy You can also make your own from dried beans,
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Cheese – Cheddar or Mexican cheese blends add delicious flavor. Shred or grate about 1/2 cup.
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Lettuce – Shredded lettuce like iceberg or romaine gives crunch.
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Tomatoes – Diced tomatoes provide flavor and moisture.
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Onion – Diced white or red onion adds zing.
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Cilantro – Chopped cilantro offers freshness.
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Salsa – Your favorite store-bought or homemade salsa adds a tasty punch.
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Sour cream – A dollop of cool sour cream balances the flavors.
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Seasonings like cumin, garlic powder, chili powder, and salt and pepper to taste
That’s it! With these simple ingredients, you can make tasty homemade bean burritos. Now let’s get cooking.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Making perfect bean burritos is easy with these step-by-step instructions:
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Prep the ingredients: Chop, dice, shred, and measure out the lettuce, tomato, onion, cheese, and cilantro so they are ready to assemble the burritos.
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Warm the tortillas: Heat the tortillas in the microwave for 20-30 seconds until warm and pliable. Stack them under a towel as you work to keep warm.
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Heat the beans: In a skillet, heat the refried beans over medium heat, stirring frequently, until warmed through. Add cumin, garlic powder, and other seasonings to taste.
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Assemble the burritos: Working one at a time, place a warm tortilla on a plate. Spread a line of the bean mixture down the center of the tortilla. Top with lettuce, tomato, onion, cheese, and cilantro.
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Roll ’em up: Fold the bottom of the tortilla over the filling, then fold in the sides and continue rolling into a burrito shape. Place seam-side down on a plate or sheet pan.
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Add toppings: Once assembled, you can top the burritos with salsa, sour cream, guacamole, or any other desired toppings.
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Serve and enjoy! Your hearty, flavor-packed homemade bean burritos are ready to eat and enjoy! Dig in while they’re warm.
Tips for Making Perfect Bean Burritos
Here are some of my handy tips for getting the best burrito results:
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Warm the tortillas before assembling so they are soft and pliable. Cold tortillas can crack and tear.
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Don’t overstuff the burritos. Using a reasonable amount of filling makes them easier to roll up.
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If the burritos won’t stay rolled, secure them with toothpicks while serving. Just be sure to remove before eating!
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Get creative with fillings! Try different beans, rices, veggies, and seasonings.
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Make a big batch and freeze assembled burritos for quick meals later. Wrap each individually in foil or plastic wrap.
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Customize with toppings like avocado, jalapeños, lime wedges, hot sauce – the options are endless.
With my handy tips and step-by-step guide, you can become a bean burrito pro in no time. This flavorful meal is sure to become a go-to dish that your whole family will love. Get ready to spice up Taco Tuesdays and have fun making these tasty burritos together. ¡Olé!
Common Questions About Making Bean Burritos
If you’re new to making burritos at home, you probably have some questions. Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about making bean burritos:
What’s the best way to warm the tortillas?
The easiest way is to wrap tortillas in a damp paper towel and microwave for 20-30 seconds until warm and pliable. You can also heat them one at a time directly on the stove top over medium heat for about 30 seconds per side.
Should I use flour or corn tortillas?
Either type works well! Flour tortillas have a soft, pillowy texture while corn tortillas are more rustic and toothsome. Use your personal preference. If using corn, just be extra gentle when handling so they don’t crack or tear.
Do I really need to prep all the ingredients ahead of time?
Chopping vegetables and measuring ingredients before assembling makes the process much easier. If you don’t have time, at least be sure to have the lettuce washed and shredded and the beans heated before rolling up the burritos.
What beans work best?
Refried or whole pinto beans are classic, but you can also use black, kidney, white, chickpeas or lentils. Mix and match for more flavor!
Can I make burritos ahead of time?
Absolutely! Assembled burritos can be individually wrapped and frozen for up to 3 months. Reheat frozen burritos in the microwave until hot and steaming.
How can I change up the flavors?
Customize with hot sauce, lime juice, roasted veggies, guacamole, queso fresco, jalapeños – the options are endless based on what you like!
Tasty Variations to Try
Once you master the classic bean burrito recipe, have fun trying out flavor variations. Here are just a few tasty ideas:
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Vegetarian burritos – Substitute black beans or chickpeas for the refried beans. Add sauteed peppers, mushrooms, spinach or sweet potatoes.
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Breakfast burritos – Scramble eggs with cheese, potatoes, and salsa. Wrap up with beans in a tortilla for a hearty breakfast.
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Sweet potato and black bean burritos – Roast cubed sweet potatoes until tender and add to burritos with spicy black beans.
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Barbacoa burritos – Make shredded beef barbacoa in the slow cooker. Stuff into tortillas with Mexican rice, cheese, and guacamole.
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Chicken fajita burritos – Sauté chicken breast slices with sliced onions and bell peppers. Add to tortillas with beans and fixings.
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Carnitas burritos – Make carnitas by cooking seasoned pork shoulder in a slow cooker until shreddable. Fill tortillas with carnitas, salsa, beans, rice, and more.
The possibilities are endless for customizing bean burritos to please your personal tastes. Try out different fillings and flavors until you create your signature go-to bean burrito!
Make It a Burrito Bar
For fun and easy entertaining, turn your homemade bean burritos into a DIY burrito bar! Set out all the ingredients and let guests assemble their own. Here are some tips:
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Offer both flour and corn tortillas so guests can choose.
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Heat up the tortillas in the oven or microwave so they’re ready to fill.
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Cook up beans, meats, rice, etc. ahead of time. Keep warm in slow cookers or on the stove.
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Chop, shred, dice and prep garnishes like lettuce, tomato, onion, cheese, olives.
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Provide salsas, guacamole, sour cream, jalapeños and other toppings.
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Consider margaritas or Mexican sodas to drink!
With everything prepped, guests can easily build their own perfect burritos. Kids especially will love customizing their creations. A burrito bar is also great for crowds – easily feed a houseful!
Simple Shortcut Versions
When you’re short on time, use these shortcut versions:
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Stovetop burritos – Sauté vegetables like peppers, onions, and garlic. Add seasoned black beans right to the skillet. Once heated, wrap in tortillas.
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Instant Pot bean burritos – Cook dried beans right in the Instant Pot. Mash some and leave some whole. Add to tortillas with fixings.
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Crock Pot burritos – Cook beans, chicken, or beef in the slow cooker. Shred any meat. Ladle into tortillas with desired toppings.
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No-cook burritos – Open a can of beans and wrap up
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The Right Way to Wrap a Burritos
By following these easy steps, you can always get the perfect fold in your bean burritos so that the filling stays inside while you eat them.
- Take a hot, dry skillet and heat the flour tortilla for 15 seconds on each side. You can also put the tortillas in a stack and cover them with a damp paper towel. Then, microwave them for 20 seconds. That way, the tortilla won’t tear when you bend or fold it.
- Fold the tortilla’s sides in about 1 to 2 inches over the filling, but don’t fold them all the way in. You don’t want the edges to touch.
- Tuck the edges of the tortilla together as you roll it over the filling.
Crispy or Soft Bean Burritos?
You can make crispy or soft bean burritos, the option is completely yours. It is all in how you heat the assembled burritos.
- For a soft burrito, wrap each ready-made burrito in a damp paper towel and heat it in the microwave for one minute.
- Crispy Bean Burritos: Put the burritos that have been put together on a baking sheet with a wire rack. Place the burritos in the oven and heat it up to 400 degrees F. Bake until golden and warm.
